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Uttarakhand CM Directs Better Medical Care After Tunnel Train Collision Injures 60

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami is closely monitoring the situation after a collision between two locomotive trains inside a tunnel at the Vishnugad-Pipalkoti Hydroelectric Project injured around 60 people. The accident occurred late Tuesday during a shift change when a train carrying workers collided with another transporting materials on a single track. Authorities have confirmed all individuals have been rescued, with the injured receiving treatment and their conditions reported as stable. The Chief Minister has instructed officials to ensure better medical facilities and referrals to higher centers as needed for the workers.

Key Points: Tunnel Train Collision at Uttarakhand Hydro Project Injures 60

  • 60 injured in tunnel train collision
  • CM Dhami monitors rescue & medical care
  • Collision during shift change on single track
  • All rescued, conditions reported stable
  • Incident at Vishnugad-Pipalkoti Hydro Project
3 min read

CM Dhami directs better medical facilities for injured in Chamoli tunnel accident

Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami directs better medical facilities after a train collision in a hydro project tunnel injures around 60 workers in Chamoli.

"I pray to God for the speedy recovery of all the injured workers. - CM Pushkar Singh Dhami"

Dehradun, Dec 31

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Wednesday took stock of the situation in Chamoli, after around 60 people were injured when a locomotive train carrying workers and officials collided with another train transporting materials inside the Pipalkoti tunnel of the Vishnugad-Pipalkoti Hydroelectric Project.

The Chief Minister said that he is in close contact with the authorities and has instructed them to provide better medical facilities to the injured.

In a post on X, CM Dhami said, "I am in constant contact with the District Magistrate of Chamoli regarding the accident that occurred at the TBM site of the under-construction THDC Vishnu Gad - Pipalkoti Hydroelectric Project in Pipalkoti, Chamoli district. Instructions have been given to provide better medical facilities to all the injured and to refer them to higher medical centres as needed."

"I pray to God for the speedy recovery of all the injured workers," he added.

The accident took place late on Tuesday at the THDC hydroelectric project construction site in Pipalkoti during a shift change.

According to initial information, two locomotive trains used to ferry workers and materials inside the tunnel rammed into each other, leaving a large number of people injured.

Chamoli District Magistrate Gaurav Kumar said that a total of 109 people were on board the train carrying workers at the time of the accident, which occurred late in the evening, and around 60 of them sustained injuries.

He said that all those involved in the incident have been rescued and that the condition of all the injured persons is stable.

The District Magistrate explained that one locomotive train carrying workers and officials and another carrying construction material were moving on the single-track inside the Pipalkoti tunnel of the Vishnugad-Pipalkoti project, being constructed by THDC (India), when the collision occurred.

He added that such locomotive trains are routinely used inside long tunnels for transporting workers, engineers, officials and construction material.

The Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Chamoli said that 10 injured people have been shifted to the district hospital in Gopeshwar for treatment, while 17 others are being treated at Vivekananda Hospital in Pipalkoti.

He said the condition of the remaining injured persons is reported to be stable.

The impact of the collision triggered panic and screams inside the tunnel, leading to a chaotic situation as workers attempted to find their way out in the confined space.

After the incident was reported, teams from the project management and the local administration rushed to the spot and immediately launched relief and rescue operations.

The Vishnugad-Pipalkoti Hydroelectric Project is a 444-megawatt project being constructed on the Alaknanda River between Helang and Pipalkoti in Chamoli district.

The project is designed to generate 111 megawatts of electricity through four turbines and is targeted for completion by next year.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
This is so tragic. A single track for two locomotives moving in opposite directions? That sounds like a basic safety failure. I'm glad the CM is directing better medical care, but there needs to be a serious investigation into how this was allowed to happen in the first place.
A
Arjun K
My cousin works on a similar project in Himachal. The conditions in these tunnels are very tough. Workers risk their lives daily. While the medical response is good, we need permanent, world-class safety protocols, not just reactions after accidents. Hope the injured get well soon.
P
Priya S
Praying for the speedy recovery of all the workers. It's heartening to see the administration act swiftly. These infrastructure projects are the backbone of development, but the human cost cannot be ignored. Strict audits of safety measures are a must.
V
Vikram M
The description of panic inside the tunnel is chilling. Imagine being in that dark, confined space after a collision. Relief that all are stable. The project management must implement better traffic control inside tunnels immediately. This cannot happen again.
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Karthik V
Good to see the CM's direct involvement. Hope the "better medical facilities" instruction translates to real action on the ground for these workers, many of whom are from far-off states. Their families must be so worried. Get well soon, brothers.

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